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White-necked HeronScientific name: Ardea pacifica

Meaning of name:Ardea is Latin for heron. Pacifica refers to the Pacific Ocean.

Aboriginal name: Djilimilyan (chil’ee’mill’yawn).

Distribution: Widespread across Australia but absent from the dry interior.

Description: Up to 106cm long with a 160cm wingspan.

Notes: The furthest distance recorded by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme for this species of bird to travel is 248km. The oldest bird recorded was recovered 1 year 1.3 months after being banded (information as at 13 June 2012). These figures seem small for a bird of this size but we must take into account that there have only been 6 records made.

References: Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Various contributors.